WHO: Gregory and Camila Marple WHEN: A few days after the blackout WHERE: Common Grounds SUMMARY: Camila and Gregory gossip about what might have happened during the blackout WARNINGS: They think you’re all banging.
“So.” Camila lowered her coffee cup and surveyed the newly christened Common Grounds before looking back across the table at her father. She had missed this. Actual facetime, sitting across a table, hearing and seeing a non digital version of her father as they talked. She didn’t have many regrets about moving away but being so far from family was the kind of thing that got harder with each passing year.
“So,” she repeated. “All of this filming, a blackout, the spring faire -- there must be some good local gossip going around.”
“I've little bets going on who will have a new family addition nine months out from this blackout.” Gregory chuckled as his hands pressed warm against his coffee. Rafael really had put a great deal of work in. He might purchase some tea to bring home for Anabel as a surprise.
“Oh?” Camila’s eyebrows shot up. “Dad you can’t just say that and not tell me who you’re betting on.” She laughed.
Gregory scratched at his chin as if in thought, debating whether or not to let his daughter in on his theories. “The Hayes detective and that girl he spends time with would be one. Though the sheriff's department was busy. At least one on the film I imagine, I doubt many of your co-workers knew what to do with themselves.”
He laughed and gave a playful wink. “Or maybe that's the icebreaker that your mother and I are expecting again.”
Camila abruptly paused, cup half raised. At least she hadn’t been mid sip, she didn’t need to choke on anything today. “Yeah, Dad.” She replied sarcastically as she lowered her coffee. “I hear band aid babies work great! Even when you’ve been divorced for nearly five years.”
“Well I hadn’t considered you and Julian, but if you’re saying that’s on the table.” Gregory pretended to go for his phone. “I’ll have to text your mother immediately.”
Mistake! Flashed in neon letters in Camila’s mind, but maybe that was an overreaction, maybe she hadn’t betrayed any inner thoughts. Her eyebrows slowly shot up in a clearly curious way. “Well, who else could you possibly mean?”
“I imagined the handsome man with the jawline would impregnate some star eyed crew member.” He chuckled easily as he took another sip. “But if grandchildren are on the line.”
Camila laughed. “Rhett Wyatt?” She paused to take a sip and consider. “No, you’re right, I could see that happening.”
“See?” he lifted his cup towards Camila. “I have a nose for these sorts of things.”
“I guess we’ll see if you’re right about the Hayes detective,” she replied. “Let me know in nine months okay?”
“Oh don’t worry. I’ll give you a full rundown of any births if you want to make your own guesses.” Gregory smiled. “After all you’ll have to tell me if I’m right about any on your end.”
“Hmm,” Camila hummed as she took another sip. Did she want to make any guesses? Probably. “I’ll put my money on Mrs. MacLaver, one of those late in life babies.” It was a little outlandish, sure, but that felt more fun.
“It's a long shot, but I like the creativity.” Gregory nodded along as he thought of the other half of that. “With who you think?”
“If I say Rhett Wyatt is that too much of a longshot?”
Gregory's lips pulled wide as he tempted his fingers beneath his chin. “Are you suggesting they've carried on past their date?”
“Secretly.” Camila invented. “Little love notes back and forth, that sort of thing.” She laughed. “It would be cute, wouldn’t it?”
“Love notes? Well that is intense.” Gregory liked where the story was going. “He’ll inevitably break her heart, so I hope it's all good fun.”
“She’ll always have the memories?” Camila offered half-heartedly. “Isn’t that usually how it goes?”
“True, and material for an excellent tell all should it come to that.” Gregory gave himself a thoughtful chin scratch.
“Fall City’s next big thing,” Camila mused. “And then they can make a movie out of it and the whole cycle will continue.”
“Oh goodness, a new movie every twenty years?” He chuckled. “At least I shouldn't be in that one.”
“Not looking forward to seeing yourself on the silver screen?”
“Oh I imagine I'll at least look younger.”
“The real version is better.”
A full, possibly a bit too loud laugh escaped at that. “I'd hope so, Mila bean.”
Across the table, Camila laughed into her cup of coffee. It really was good being home.